Her Brother (1.9)

The name Maxwell left Nova conflicted. Hearing it made him anxious and uncomfortable but it also made him feel warm and comforted. He wasn't sure what that meant about whoever this 'Mr. Maxwell' was but after his last experience with someone he didn't know he wasn't sure if he should let this person in or not.

Seeing his hesitation and all the tearstains on his face the nurse spoke again, "...If you don't want him in here you can say he's not allowed to see you or we can just tell him you're resting."

Nova appreciated her more and more. He thought about it and just decided to let the man up simply because he had asked instead of breaking into the hospital. However, before he could tell the nurse to let the man up he felt Sky's hand wrap around his again as a form of comfort.

"Ah no it's okay...", he cleared his throat, "Let him come up but.... don't tell him Skyler is here please."

Sky quirked his brow at this. But of course Nova wasn't going to admit that he needed to keep his guard up because he didn't remember who this person was. He just kept his gaze away from the brown eyes that were questioning him.

The woman glanced at their hands before looking at him with a smile.

"You got it hun. He'll be up in a few minutes~"

Nova felt that he lost the ability to feel shame anymore but Skyler wasn't the same. The big man blushed shyly, full of embarrassment as he removed his hand from Tristan's. Making Nova stifle a laugh as he forcefully pushed away the negative thoughts that were not helping him to progress in this world.

"So who is this? Do I get to know or am I just here as your body guard?"

Sky successful redirected the awkward energy in the room back to Nova.

"Get me some water to fix my face before he gets here."

It was a weak attempt to avoid the question but Skyler didn't push. He gave him some water in a cup that was lying around and brushed Tristan's hair back with his hand to help the man look a little less miserable. The redness on his face from crying so much wasn't going to go away that quickly but with the tear streaks wiped away he didn't look too bad.... Okay no there were still multiple bruises and cuts on him but cleaning up the tears made him look at least a little less pitiful.

As Skyler was dumping the used water down the sink 'Mr. Maxwell' arrived. Sky heard the footsteps get close and subtly hid himself from view.

A gentle, frail looking man softly tapped the doorway with his knuckles as he stepped in. Nova couldn't help but notice how thin his wrists were as he knocked, the sleeve of his oversized cotton lounge shirt falling to reveal a skinny forearm and boney elbow. 'Not again...' Nova thought without understanding what the thought was even referring to.

He locked gazes with the man in the hospital bed and his slightly angled black eyes went wide as he saw him, looking at all of the injuries on the larger man's face.

"Tris- Tristan? What- what did she- she do to you? I- am so so sorry i-"

He stuttered and his thin pink lips cracked. They were just as sickly looking as the rest of his face. Hollow cheeks and tired bags under the eyes that were now tearing up. He was as pale as a sheet of paper and despite looking like he was about to cry he wasn't even blushing. It was like there was no blood flow, as if he was terrified.

The only thing that looked healthy about him was his hair. Somehow, despite appearing malnourished, he had beautiful, flowing, glossy black strands that went all the way down to his hips. They were completely straight without a single curl or wave and he ran his thin fingers through the length of it nervously.

"How did you find out so quickly?" Nova asked, trying to get some information instead of indulging the nagging thought he had to make sure the other man was okay. It was clear that he knew the woman who had attacked him earlier but it wasn't like Nova could straight up ask the man 'Who are you? How do I know you and that bitch?' ....so he had to approach the subject in a more subtle way.

"Elaine updated her status on her socials to 'off to see my boy~' and well, she's always talking about you when she says that... I was closer to the Eastern Hospital so I checked there first but this building is much closer to your house. I should've known... I should've found a way to stop her..."

Tears fell from him. The man stood there trembling and raking his hands roughly through his hair but Nova didn't know what to say to that. So this man knew where he lived? And clearly he knew more about the situation than Sky did but Sky was supposed to be Tristan's best friend. So who is this? And why did Nova feel the urge to comfort him and stop seeing him in distress?

"....Come here and stop crying like that."

The man blushed, the first sign of blood flow he's shown since entering the room. He moved closer and sat himself down on the side of the bed Tristan was laying on. Nova couldn't keep himself from taking the delicate tear-stained face into his hands.

"Stop it."

"But i-"

"But you're not Elaine. You didn't do what she did. Calm down."

"She's my sister! We both know she doesn't care what I say but maybe I could've at least stalled her instead of being so useless everytime i-"

"DON'T SAY THAT ERIN!"

The words flew out of Nova's mouth, in his mind he was still busy being shocked by the fact that this was the brother of the woman who had assaulted him earlier. Now he realized that he somehow knew this man's name. There was so much care and affection for this man left within Tristan. Nova could only consider it love.

"...I'm sorry. I'm sorry Tristan..." He whispered, gently pressing his forehead to Tristan's, while wrapping his more slender fingers around the man's hands framing his face.

Tristan licked his lips before whispering back, "Rin..."

'I want to kiss him...' The thought appeared very naturally in Nova's mind. If the leftover urges of this body hadn't calmed down and become a bit easier to control he certainly would've taken action already. It's just that right now he felt that this man deserved the affection from him. The worry on his behalf was genuine and so was the attraction. It was nothing like how he had been forced and assaulted before. There was a safety and comfort to be found in this man's presence. In fact, Nova felt that he was the one who needed to protect and comfort the other.

They both leaned in, breathing the other's air. Both hesitating but clearly invested in this almost-kiss....

Skyler's hand clenched unconsciously. The cup in his hand didn't want to bend and made an unwilling *crack* that brought the man's attention away from what he was watching and instead down to his hands that were about to turn into fists.

"...What was that?" Rin pushed himself up and away from Tristan and turning to look towards the bathroom. Unintentionally saving Nova from doing something very impulsive in front of the person he had forgotten was also in the room.

"I'm Skyler McDavis. So who the fuck are you?"